The former Sheffield United ace wanted by several Premier League clubs

Former Sheffield United star Iliman Ndiaye could return to English football this summer, with reports suggesting Olympique Marseille are open to a move away. According to Foot Mercato, Everton have rekindled their interest in the Senegal international.

The 24-year-old played a major role in Sheffield United’s promotion to the Premier League in the 2022/23 campaign, scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists in 46 league games.

Heading into the top-flight season, there was much anticipation surrounding Ndiaye’s arrival in the Premier League, but he would ultimately turn down a new deal with the Blades, who forced United to sell him last summer. This decision sparked huge debate among fans – but the real issue at stake was his sale before the season even started.

Ndiaye has reportedly been sold to his boyhood club Marseille for a fee of £20m, according to the BBC. In his debut season in France, he made 30 Ligue 1 appearances (19 starts), scoring three goals and providing five assists. He also made 14 appearances in the Europa League and added one goal to his name.

Could Iliman Ndiaye have bettered his Sheffield United side in the previous campaign?

Naturally, United fans asked the question: would Iliman Ndiaye have made Sheffield United better in their disastrous Premier League campaign? I would say yes and no because of how wrong the defense was.

Ndiaye has been an excellent ball-retaining player in the Championship and has continued to prove this in Ligue 1. There has also been a theory on social media in recent months that claims “Ndiaye didn’t do it in Ligue 1, which it’s a lower league than the Premier League”. For me, this kind of statement is pointless to make because there are a lot of hidden gems in France, which is why top clubs from all over Europe sign players from even the mid-table teams in Ligue 1 almost every summer.

Iliman Ndiaye’s stats from last season

Ndiaye’s stats compared to Europe’s top five leagues are something he could have 100% replicated in the Premier League. He ranked in the 99th percentile for pass completion compared to other forwards and that number wasn’t diluted by simple risky passes as he ranked in the 78th percentile for expected assists at 90, proving his creative qualities. Additionally, he ranked in the 82nd percentile for shot-making actions, with the vast majority of those coming via a grab, per FBref.

The Blades sorely missed Ndiaye’s presence up front; he would often drop between the lines and offer himself up for a pass and you know he has the ability to turn and tie the game or even go past a few players. The Marseille man is one of the best dribblers in Europe, ranking in the top percentile for successful take-ons and 90th for carries in the final third.

He remained a progressive machine in France, averaging over eight progressive passes received per 90 (90th percentile), averaging nearly four progressive passes per 90 (90th percentile) and making just over three progressive passes per 90 ( 93 percentile).

The other huge thing United missed last season was Ndiaye’s pressing skills. His work rate is incredible, but he is also very intelligent in the way he presses. The Blades were far too easy to play from the back against last term. The front line would be bypassed far too easily. Meanwhile, Ndiaye finished the season ranked in the 97th percentile for tackles won, 78th for tackles and interceptions and 99th for contested dribblers.

My point of view

It’s crazy to think that some people (maybe salty) suggested that Ndiaye couldn’t cut it in the Premier League and wouldn’t even have improved on us last season. His standout qualities: pressing, a progressive force and a player capable of driving the team forward are three of the main things Sheffield United have been missing massively during their lackluster campaign. With several Premier League sides interested in him, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him be a standout player in the top flight next season.